So as I am beginning to learn more and more about college, I’m hearing about this big spike. I really want to major in the sciences (probably engineering or medical) but I feel like the only thing I can really “shine” on is my writing skills. I’m an Asian girl and I’m pretty much just mediocre/well-rounded (but apparently colleges don’t like that) at everything but sometimes I feel like I write things like essays and poetry well and have even entered in some competitions. I’m not really sure if this will help me or hurt me or how to relate my writing to my interests in science. Or should I take an approach were I say “yeah i like writing but I also like science”? I would really love to hear some opinions.
There are a lot of very good universities in the US. People get sort of distracted (to use a nice word) by what it takes to get into Harvard or Stanford, and forget that most of what you need for these two schools is not needed for a long list of very good schools.
Keep your GPA up, keep ahead with homework, pay attention in class, seek out help when you need it, pay attention to the costs of schools when it is time to apply, do a bit of SAT or ACT preparation when the time comes, and you should be fine. As one example, my well-rounded youngest daughter got into every university she applied to with pretty nearly no ECs at all, and is now doing well and is very happy at a very good university that is a good fit for her. You too should be able to find a school that is a good fit for you.
Please don’t ever think that your ability to write is a negative. One of the biggest complaints about STEM majors is their lack of communication skills. Think of all of the scientist that you know. Why do you know them? Likely from something they wrote. There are also some great writers that have a STEM background. Arthur C. Clarke has a degree in mathematics and physics from King’s College London. Isaac Asimov has a PhD in biochemistry from Columbia. This isn’t just contained to writing. In music you have Tom Scholz. He is the founder and lead guitarist for Boston. He has a masters in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. Brian May (Queen) has a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London. Of course it did take him 36 years to complete it.
If you really enjoy both, continue with both. Maybe they will come together. Maybe not. They can coexist either way. If you make your life one dimensional, you will fall over.
This was so well written, thank you so much. I actually kind of felt like I was going to cry after I read this because I was so touched
No need to worry at all. What the admission reps really want to see in your application is you. Who are you? Who will you be on their campus? What kind of community member will you be?
Just give them honest answers, then they can learn who you are. That’s much easier and more authentic than trying to give them what you think they might want. If you like something, and want to write about it, do it. That almost always works best. But what if they decide you are not a good fit for the school? Well, that’s great. Better to learn it now, than to pay for it and spend months figuring it out for yourself.
And above comment is on target. Someone with artistic ability and interest, or strong writing skills and interest, can bring a lot into their sciences classes and work. Think of the famous story about Steven Jobs learning about fonts at Reed College. People are complex organisms, It’s natural to have lots of interests and talents.
The only thing I’d add is to keep it positive and be confident. People are drawn to positive people. I bet you are. People like confidence. I bet you do. Think of problems as challenges that you can rise to and overcome, and write it that way. Think of difficult people as someone with a different perspective or someone who is still learning and developing. Don’t think of yourself as mediocre, think of yourself as you, with your interests and talents. There’s nothing mediocre about that.
Good luck!
I’ve used the “engineer, but also a writer” viewpoint for essays before. Personally I think it’s a plus.
Definitely pursue writing if you like it.
I’ve heard admissions officers say that they strive to create a well rounded class. And that class will include a number of well rounded individuals and a number of individuals who have a particular passion/talent (or “spike”).
So my advice would be to be yourself, pursue your interests/passions and don’t worry if it is in more than one area. High school should be a time of exploration and growth. Plus nobody I can think of would say it is a bad thing to be a STEM major who can also write very well.
I personally don’t believe in a “spike.” I don’t think colleges are looking for one either. I think they look for genuine interest, and you might be geniunely interested in one thing or three. If you want to write, do it. There are a zillion writing competitions online. Submit your writing to teenink. Do what interests you.